The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-03-18
TO the FrIends OF Prohibition In
Mississippi.

\ nave Tue DItHSuIo VI dS"tu
concentrating you upon the health
tul growth OF Prohibition IN the
Sta .. The past has been II year OF
rapid prOgress-Of real triumph. 1
have only words of encouragement
10 offer Oh the result OF TecSnt
achievements. The local option
law enacted by the last Legislature,
has exceeded in efficiency the
largest expectations OF its friends
aud disappointed the evil prophe-
cies of nnrelenting enemies. Ut.
der its operation we have not only
firmly held every inch Of territory
covered by special %pr0hibitory
statues, but have rescued from the
grasp OF the open saloon twelve
additional counties, including the
large and influential counties OF
Kinds, Lauderdale aud YazoO
Other large sections have driven
out the saloon by petition, until We
can claim two thirds or more Of the
State, as standing solid in the Pro
DlOltlOn column.
In addition, we are assured that
the agitation has improved The
drinking habits OF society. Old
tOp2rS have ceased their debauclleT-
les and moderate drinkers become
total abStainers. The saloons that
remain do not thrive as formerly
the business is no longer 80 lucra
live and remunerative. And it is
becoming disreputable for gentle
men TO frequent such places. Some
interesting statistics might be Civ,
en- on this point that would gladden.
the heart and cheer the faith of
every Pr0hibitioniSt in Mississippi
aud elsewhere.
It Is also occasion Tor graduation
that the Supreme Court of the
State has affirmed the constitution.
ality Of our law in the clearest and
strongest language. This, Of itself,
will become al educating factor in
the conflict aud has already sent
diSmay into the cnemy's ranks. 1t
Simpliirs the issue and unifics the
friends of moral reform.
But what OF the duties OF ue
present and future! Be assured,
we have only begun the struggle.
We must beware OF idle satisfaction
with past The peril of
victory is cOmtlacency. One tri-
umph should only stimulate cOnr.
age and zeal to achieve a greater.
III view, Therefore, ct the work
before us, | offer the following sug-
gcSti0ns:
/. Keep your organizations IN
tact. In counties where PrOlibi
ton has carried, you need to keep
up the a1itat on to sectlre the rigid,
impartial enforcement of the law.
Laws do not administer themselves.
The sentiment that enacts Il statute
must compel its wise, fearless al
miniStrati0n. Do not allow the
law to become Il dead letter. I'm
punished vIolitOrS are vicious "da.
Gators of public sentiment. Keep
up the agitation, 81 that 40 jury
can he found to acquit fragrant Of
tenders.
.. We should adhere consistently
10 our declaration of nOn.ptItiSan
purposes aud principles. Oar last
Slate Convention rpatfirmpd the
dUctiinp announced AT every former
meeting in these words 1--WE inr
Their declare il 10 be Uur conviction
that the cause of pIOhib1tlOn should
not be entanelpd with party politics.
Without disturbing the party afil
iatIOns of any citizen, we ask his
M1hTS gi'a.at. tStplI?!, when
be PnthrOned above tue
:%ouicSts for mere place and power"
70 that declaration and line Of poll
~ We are pledged aud the success
IF our cause Thus far has demon.
it's wisdom. IL with our
growing strength, the movement
be detected Into partisan
:hauelS, We will forfeit the crown.
ny victory which seems assured.
When Il successful moral reform is
subsidized 10y political ambitions, il
defeat in the hOnSc of sup
but misguided friends. Let
rs rpasSprt with plainneSS and em-
HAT !hiS is in no SENSE a
,arty movement. We have nUlhin.
q do with party politics.
3. Let Prohibition literature be
ndnStriOusly circulated. We AUST
ON down the State with leaflets
nd pamphlets, packed with facts
nd arguments, that will multiply
ur friends aud enable every PrOhi-
iliOuist TO give an unanswerable
raS0n for The hope that is in him.
t Ne can only get the people to
"a the saloon will lie banished
ON Tue borders of our great COnI-
IOnwpalth.
4. Ia the counties where no elrc-
has been held, make ample
rrparations aud bring on The e0n-
st during Hhe summer. Organizes
r victory, aud utilize every avail
Bic agency. We have sufficient
lused influence IN every county
assure success. il mobIlized and
.aeed under skilled leadership.
= We must labor with aud for !,
Ip colorad people. They will aid '
-. .uua.Sfun uuuk :.